RMIT shines at Melbourne International Games Week

RMIT shines at Melbourne International Games Week

Students, staff and alumni from the University's Bachelor of Design (Games) and Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity featured across a range of events at Melbourne International Games Week 2024.

From speaking engagements and games showcases to exhibitions, RMIT talent could be found at key events including PAX Aus, Feminine Play, Freeplay Parallel and the Games Education Symposium. 

Dr Li Ping Thong, Associate Dean Digital Design, said Melbourne International Games Week truly highlighted the strength of the University’s Digital Design's Game program.  

“Students make their mark before graduating and alumni are always part of the week, enhancing our reputation globally,” she said.

“This success reflects the dedication of our team of academic staff in our Games programs, who are deeply committed to preparing students for the ever-evolving games industry in Melbourne and beyond." 

22 November 2024

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Students at one of RMIT’s stalls at PAX. Students at one of RMIT’s stalls at PAX.

PAX Aus

PAX Aus is a celebration of gaming and gaming culture and this year 21 Bachelor of Design (Games) students had their work on display.  

With support from Creative Victoria, RMIT’s booth in the Pax Aus expo hall gave students an opportunity to showcase their work to the hundreds of thousands of attendees across the three-day event.  

Program Manager Tom Penney said the event provided students with a platform for public reception of their work and a chance to express themselves as a community.  

“PAX Aus is a fantastic networking and exposure opportunity for our students, and it was great to see some of our graduates involved too.” 

2023 graduates Tara Brown and Sophie Tan had a booth for their game Ecliptic, while other recent graduates Alysha Nizuaisham and Lori McLelland worked closely with RMIT Games Industry Fellow Steph Kelso on preparations for the event. 

Feminine Play 

Lecturer Stephanie Harkin was the lead curator for Feminine Play, a free games exhibition that celebrated femininity and subverted gendered tradition. 

The exhibition attracted over 600 visitors and featured archival materials, playable games and creative works, both commercial and experimental, digital and analogue.  

Students and alumni selected to exhibit works included Olivia Haines and Chantel Eagle from the Bachelor of Design (Games) Program and Lexi Karpathios and Nhu Bui from Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity. 

Bui, also a tutor in the Masters program, exhibited their work Banh Chung AR with fellow staff member Lucian Rodriguez Lovell.  

My Dream PC from RMIT’s Centre of Digital Ecosystems was also on display, alongside Helen Kwok’s works Sashiko and Moonscope.   

Feminine Play was supported by current students who were employed to work in the gallery space throughout the exhibition.  

The exhibition was curated in collaboration with Xavier Ho (Monash University), Mahli-Ann Butt (University of Melbourne), and Jini Maxwell (ACMI).

RMIT at Freeplay: Parallels. RMIT at Freeplay: Parallels.

Freeplay: Parallels

Freeplay, based in Melbourne, is the world’s longest-running independent games festival organisation and Parallels is its annual showcase of independent games during Melbourne International Games Week.

Now in its tenth year, Freeplay: Parallels featured talks by independent game makers alongside playable installations of experimental works.

Speakers at the event included alumni of the Bachelor of Design (Games) program Lauren Temos (T-Dog eXtreme), Olivia Haines (Dinko) and Xavier Bell (Rodeo Clown) and Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity alumni Duncan Corrigan (Moving On).

Playable exhibits from students Bora Erdogan (Whiskey.ST2007S) and Selina Sze Ling Lam (DDmeow Games) as well as alumni and current staff members Siobahn Dent (Fleeting Friends) and Tim Snowdon and Max Myers (River Scene Zine) were also featured.  

RMIT has been involved with Freeplay since its inception in 2004, with Senior Lecturer Helen Stuckey and Lecturer James Manning both current Board members.

RMIT booth at the Games Education Symposium. RMIT booth at the Games Education Symposium.

Games Education Symposium: Careers & Frontiers

Current student and recent graduate works were also on show at the Games Education Symposium, a two-day initiative hosted by Creative Victoria. 

The inaugural symposium was designed for secondary and tertiary students, educators, careers advisors, games studios and industry to come together to explore the most topical issues and exciting opportunities impacting games, education and careers of the future.

Led by Lecturer James Manning with the support of student volunteers Bora Erdogran, Noemi Pajak-Grigorean and Jenny Miller, RMIT’s booth at the symposium gave school leavers an insight into the work created as part of the Bachelor of Design (Games) program.

 

Story: Rosie Shepherdson-Cullen

22 November 2024

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